Films are
classified by a company called the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification)
and they are classified for one main reason, which
is to protect children from unsuitable and harmful content in films and to give
consumers information they might need about a particular film before deciding
whether or not to view it, the BBFC examines and age rates films and videos
before they are released. This independent scrutiny prior to release ensures
the highest possible level of protection and empowerment in order to protect children
from viewing anything that could harm them. The BBFC look at issues such as
discrimination, drugs, horror, dangerous and easily imitable behaviour,
language, nudity, sex, and violence when making decisions on what age rate is
given to a film. The theme of the work is also an important consideration. The
BBFC will also consider context, the tone and likely impact of a work on the
potential audience. The release format of a work has an impact on
classification. Their decisions on the age rating of DVDs/Blu-Ray can
occasionally be stricter than at the cinema because there is a higher risk of
underage viewing in the home and a greater potential for watching scenes out of
context.
When film production companies are in the making of the
film, if for example they are creating a children’s film, they must consider
all of the different aspects in the film that could be unsuitable or harm
children. This is because the BBFC, could classify the film with a higher age
rating than the film production company were hoping for, as this could affect
their target audience. Therefore, filmmakers must consider when making
children’s films to not include any themes or reference to sex, violence,
drug-use etc. For example, a film such as ‘Paranormal Activity’ and ‘Saw’ has
been classified as 18. This is because they contain scenes of violence, horror,
gore and sexual references. These would have been classified an 18 by the BBFC
because they are too harmful to anybody under the age of 18 and could
psychologically harm them.
Film classification can affect the distribution of a film.
This is because, a film has been rated as a ’15’ or ‘18’, advertisements of the
film are very likely to be shown after 9:00pm because people above the age of
15 are likely to be watching television at this time. Therefore, films
classified as ‘PG’ or ‘U’ are likely to be shown during the day and before
9:00pm because this way film production companies can target the correct
audience for the film. Furthermore, films for people over the age of 15/18
being advertised on boards at the cinema or bus stops for example, are not
likely to show harmful images/content as this could harm children who see the
advertisements who are underage for a 15 or 18 film. This can affect the
distribution of film because films that are classified by the BBFC to be a 15
or 18 can affect what images or clips are shown in adverts because film
companies must not include any harmful content that can affect younger
children. However, if a film for children classified as ‘U’ ‘12’ or ‘PG’ film
companies are likely to distribute their films by advertising on children’s TV
shows or by giving out toys in McDonalds that relates to the current film being
advertised.
Film classification can also affect film production. This is
because the producer of the film must consider the target audience
they would like to produce their film for. They will then have to work
around this and try to find and choose suitable actors/actresses, consider what
is included in the script and the language used in the film that would suit fit
their particular target audience. For example when producing a PG film, film
production companies would have to consider the language used as children can
influenced or harmed if they are exposed to bad language in a film. Therefore,
film companies must be certain that the film is 100% suitable for their target
audience especially if it is targeted at the younger audience. This is why it
is important to consider the specific age classification for a film when
producing it.
In conclusion, film classification can affect the film production and distribution in a positive and negative way. It can affect it positively because it will make film production companies more aware of the content they include in a film to ensure that they do not cause any harmful content that could affect young children. It can however affect film production and distribution negatively because it can affect where and when films are distributed, as film companies may not target the correct audience if a horror film is being distributed because it is difficult to decide when and where the film can be advertised because harmful content cannot be exposed to the wrong target audience.
